Spitting, Beijing
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Hocking everything up
The Chinese are huges fans of hocking up everything in their throat and spitting it anywhere and everywhere. They believe that it is a hygenic thing to do, more so than our western tradition of blowing our noses and sticking the tissue in our pockets!
Do not be offended by the constant sounds of loosening throats, just remember to watch where you're walking!!
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Watching the old people spit
One thing that is a bit of a surprise here is the hawking and spitting. It seems to be mostly carried out - entirely unapologetically - by the old folk, and takes a bit of getting used to. There is a government drive to stop this habit, and there are posters up everywhere with threats of fines for those caught in the act, but it still happens. A lot.
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Spitting - a way of life
Unfortunately, it is not much fun to step on spit or hear the familiar guttural sound prior to spitting on the floor. This is a habit not only amongst Beijingers but throughout China.
Even if you sit next to a local, he or she can spit accurately not hitting your shoes. Some even use their shoes to smear the evidence on the floor - a normal reflex action.
For most Chinese in Taiwan, Hong Kong and elsewhere in Asia and USA, spitting habit has been more or less "eradicated". Hopefully soon it will no longer be a way of life in Beijing and China soon. But in the mean time, be tolerant. No harm done. I do not think a picture is necessary here.
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Speaking of Spitting
In Singapore you will be fined if you spit in public. But in Beijing, it seems like they will be fined if they dont spit. You will see people, specially the elderly and men, spitting on the street all the time. Im told that the fact they try to drag the thing out of their throat with sound effect like that is a way to get unhealthy thing out of their body. Obviously, they dont care about others....
Related to:- Budget Travel
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- Backpacking
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Please do not spit
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